This is just a list of instructions, not an executable file. Please don't download and execute!
- Power on and boot into the live installer - boot options varies depending on the manufacturer. ** This guide was written with UEFI bootloader in mind, BIOS version will be up next.*
Verify whether internet works if connected to Ethernet. Remember, Arch is installed using packages downloaded from the internet at the time of install.
Command:
# ping c -3 google.com
If connected to the internet, your output should be something like this:
-
Check your disk partitioning using
fdisk -land note down the partition numbers of the root and EFI partitions. -
Format the root partition to a format linux supports, preferably ext4.
-
Mount the root partition in the directory /mnt using the command
# mount /dev/sdax /mnt -
If using swap, initialize it using
# mkswap /dev/sdxY# swapon /dev/sdxY -
Format the EFI partition (whose number we noted earlier using
fdisk-l) to FAT32 by:# mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sdxY -
Make a directory for the esp - /mnt/boot.
# mkdir -p /mnt/boot(the -p is to make it a parent directory if it is absent, ie like creating a new folder) -
Mount the esp to the previously created directory
# mount /dev/sdxY /mnt/boot
- Now is the actual installing bit.
# pacstrap -i /mnt base base-devel(base devel is required for AUR support and stuff)
10)Now, an 'fstab' file has to be generated, which lists the partitions used by the OS.
# genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
(-U is for UUIDs, -L can also be used for Labels instead)
11)chroot into the Arch install.
# arch-chroot /mnt
12)Open the locale file:
# nano /etc/locale.gen
13)Uncomment the locale you require (the wayland server is wrecked if this is improper)
-
Create a locale.conf:
# echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 > /etc/locale.conf# export LANG=en_US.UTF-8(Replace the locale with the one you selected - they should match) -
Set the timezone:
# ln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/Asia/Kolkata /etc/localtime# hwclock --systohc --utc//sets the system clock, doesn't work on certain HP laptops.
14)Get the sudo package and the wifi stuff.
# pacman -S grub wireless_tools wpa_supplicant wpa_actiond dialog
15)Add a root password:
# passwd
(type and retype)
16)Create a new user:
# useradd -m -g users -G *all required permissions -s* /bin/bash *username*
17)Add a passwd for username
# passwd *username*
18)Edit the sudo file to give required permissions:
# visudo
- Uncomment the line that gives the permissions you think are appropriate for your usage.
Eg:
# %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL(widely accepted permissions!) Uncomment - remove the pound symbol.
20)GRUB (Grand Unified Botloader) time
Grab it from the repos:
# pacman -S grub efibootmgr fuse2 os-prober
Install GRUB:
# grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=*esp* --bootloader-id=*arch_grub*
Any id can be used, and esp is the path where the esp is mounted ie /mnt/boot here.
21)Generate a grub-config file.
# grub-mkconfig -o *esp*/grub/grub.cfg
where esp is 'mnt/boot' for me.
22)Give a hostname:
# echo *preferredname* > /etc/hostname
23)Done! Exit chroot, unmount all drives and reboot!
# exit
# umount /dev/sdxY
# reboot
*I'll add the graphics, sound, usability stuff in the evening